Why the World Is Talking About New Zealand's 37-Year-Old Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Since taking office last year, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has brought about new changes and ideas. Thanks to a recent viral Facebook post, the whole world is talking about her.

Here are some interesting facts about the Prime Minister.

SHE'S THE YOUNGEST FEMALE LEADER IN THE WORLD.

The 37-year-old took office as the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand on October 26, 2017, and holds the roles of Minister for National Security and Intelligence, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction.

AND ONLY THE SECOND TO GIVE BIRTH WHILE IN OFFICE.

Ardern announced her pregnancy through an Instagram post back in January. She told reporters, "I am not the first woman to multi-task." She continues, "I'm not the first woman to work and have a baby. I know these are special circumstances but there will be many women who will have done this well before I have."

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On June 21, she gave birth to a baby girl, Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford. "Neve" means "radiant, light, or snow" and "Te Aroha" means "love." The Prime Minister is currently on maternity leave, with Winston Peters serving as Acting Prime Minister.

Previously, Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was the only woman to give birth while in office in 1990.

HER PARTNER, CLARKE GAYFORD, WILL BECOME A FULL-TIME STAY-AT-HOME FATHER.

Gayford, a radio and television broadcaster, will take care of Neve while Ardern resumes work as PM. "It was pretty obvious that it was what I was gonna have to do, and I don't feel particularly special about doing that because I do know that there are a lot of dads out there who have been doing this for years and years," he tells Radio New Zealand.

SHE WAS RAISED AS A MORMON, BUT SHE LEFT THE RELIGION IN 2006.

Ardern left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after their teachings conflicted with her beliefs, particularly LGBTQ rights. She proclaimed agnosticism in 2017, but said she respected other people's beliefs:

"I have a real respect for people who have religion as a foundation in their lives," she said. "And I respect people who don't."

SHE'S A PART-TIME DJ.

As a DJ, she's played at weddings, university gigs, and even a 45-minute set at Auckland's Laneway Festival in 2014. Her sets reportedly feature alternative rock, hip-hop, pop, and indie music including Spice Girls, Snoop Dogg, and Sid Vicious.